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Legislators target license laws

As legislators in Washington, D.C., discuss new immigration policies, the use of driver’s licenses obtained by undocumented immigrants will be up for debate next month.

Introduced by House Judiciary Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wisc., the Real ID bill is designed to ensure illegal immigrants do not use driver’s licenses as federal identification.

The federal government would only accept licenses for identification purposes if the state in which it was obtained required proof from applicants that they are in the country legally.

“In order to use a driver’s license as a form of ID, you’d need to adopt a lawful presence requirement,” Jeff Lungren, spokesperson for Sensenbrenner, said. “Currently, it is too easy to find loopholes in the system … as was proven in the 9-11 terrorist attacks.”

Lungren referred to Mohammad Atta, a leader in the 9-11 attacks who had obtained a 6-year driver’s license with a 6-month visa.

“[The system] is just too vulnerable,” Lungren said. “Accepting driver’s licenses from [states] that don’t require proof of identification … allows someone to get by without arising suspicion or concern. It’s just too dangerous.”

Jason King, spokesperson for the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, said that a more consistent practice from state to state would deter many of the current problems that have presented themselves.

Illegal immigrants can exploit the current system by obtaining a license in a state that does not require legal residence and then travel elsewhere, according to King.

Ten states, including Wisconsin, grant driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

“I agree that something needs to happen,” Wisconsin State Sen. Michael Ellis, R-Neenah, said.

Ellis announced a bill last month that would require all applicants for Wisconsin driver’s licenses to show proof that they are in the country legally.

“A driver’s license today is more than a document allowing you to drive,” Ellis said. “It has been elevated to an identification that many believe [acknowledges] you are in the country legally.”

State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, said he disagrees that a provision is needed and suggests that a provision banning undocumented immigrants from being issued a driver’s license would do more harm than good.

“I think society has to decide what’s more important — safe drivers on the highway or where a person comes from,” Risser said.

Risser said limiting driver’s licenses would not keep undocumented immigrants off the roads and that as long as they are behind the wheel it is important drivers are qualified.

“Nobody needs to accept a driver’s license as a valid form of identification,” Risser said. “For security purposes, two forms of identification can easily be requested. It is just as easy [to use] a social security number, a visa or even fingerprinting as a form of identification.”

Ellis’ bill is currently being drafted and will likely be up for vote by May.